OBJECTIVE To address the lack of standardized research methods for the origin research of classic famous Tibetan medicine prescriptions and the blank in the literature research of “star bu pny+tsa”, this study establishes the methodology of “text tracing mining” for origin research of classic famous Tibetan medicine prescriptions. Taking “star bu pny+tsa”as a research example, this paper verifies its historical origin, prescription evolution rules and inheritance context, so as to provide support for the inheritance and modern research of classic Tibetan medical literature.

METHODS Taking “star bu pny+tsa” as the core keyword, ancient Tibetan medical literature and modern drug standards were retrieved, and documents were screened combined with the Tibetan Medicine Intelligent Auxiliary Diagnosis and Treatment System(TMIP_Brtagbcos_1.0) and Tibetan Medicine Traceability Mining Method(TMIP_KL_1.0). Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria for literatures were formulated. In accordance with the collation specifications of Tibetan medical literature, the weighted similarity algorithm based on Tibetan syllable segmentation was adopted to carry out text mining and data analysis.

RESULTS A total of 347 relevant literatures were retrieved, among which 65 valid literatures were included. “star bu pny+tsa” was firstly recorded in Four Medical Classics in the 8th century, and its core compatibility consisting of five medicinal materials including seabuckthorn, costus root, Phyllanthus emblica, long pepper, licorice was clarified in Eighteen Branches in the 12th century. The compatibility ratio of the five core medicinal herbs in derivative prescriptions of successive dynasties was 85%. The compatibility structure of seabuckthorn, costus root and Phyllanthus emblica remained stable, and only a small number of prescriptions replaced licorice with cinnamon. This prescription follows the three major compatibility principles of Tibetan medicine including taste, efficacy and transformed taste, and could be clinically applied to the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and other lung diseases in modern clinical practice.

CONCLUSION The Tibetan medical text tracing mining method established in this research can provide references for origin textual research, literature collation, and formula traceability of classical famous Tibetan medical prescriptions. With a stable core compatibility throughout its millennial inheritance, the “star bu pny+tsa” formula conforms to the core therapeutic principle of Tibetan medicine for pulmonary jaundice caused by phlegm invading the trachea, which adopts emetic and purgative therapies to dredge tracheal phlegm and expel pus. It possesses important value for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary diseases as well as the modern research and development of Tibetan medicines.